Explore Tokyo’s Iconic Sightseeing Spots by Street Kart — Turn Your First Trip into an Unforgettable Adventure
The moment the light turns green, 3,000 people surge across the Shibuya Scramble Crossing all at once. How many people have ever looked up at that scene from just a few dozen centimeters above the ground? When you drive through Tokyo’s streets in a street kart, familiar scenery transforms into something completely different. Spending two hours with the wind rushing over you as you hit the accelerator toward Tokyo Tower reveals a side of Tokyo you’ll never find in any guidebook.
Shibuya, Harajuku & Omotesando — Racing Through Three Distinct Neighborhoods
The Tour HS course departing from the Shibuya shop takes you through Shibuya, Harajuku, and Omotesando — three areas with completely different personalities — all in about one hour.
Starting with Hachiko Square off to the side, the first thing that catches your eye is the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, one of the most famous intersections in the world. As you wait at the red light and look around, you’ll spot the towering SHIBUYA109 building and the 230-meter Shibuya Scramble Square skyscraper. Looking up at these buildings from the kart’s low seat gives them a sense of scale that’s completely different from walking along the sidewalk.
After passing through Dogenzaka and heading toward Harajuku, the atmosphere shifts entirely. With the entrance to Takeshita Street — the holy land of kawaii culture — off to the side, you’ll cruise onto Omotesando, lined with rows of zelkova trees. This refined boulevard flanked by luxury brand shops looks even more stunning when you gaze up at the zelkova canopy from the kart’s seat. The distinctive facades of Omotesando Hills and Tokyu Plaza, designed by renowned architects, stream past one after another.
Another highlight of this course is the gradual sense of calm that washes over you as you approach the sacred forest of Meiji Shrine. This roughly 700,000-square-meter expanse of deep green in the heart of the city is so serene that you can hear the rustling of the trees even over the engine. The route lets you feel the dramatic shift from Shibuya’s hustle and bustle to an urban oasis — a moment that gives first-time visitors a real sense of just how much depth Tokyo has to offer.
Akihabara to Tokyo Station & Ginza — The Heart of Tokyo Where Old Meets New
The Tour A2S course from the Akihabara shop is a roughly one-hour route that cuts across Tokyo’s history and present.
The starting point, Akihabara, is a world-famous subculture mecca. Driving your kart through streets filled with colorful electronics district signs and massive anime shop displays feels like diving headfirst into a whirlpool of pop culture. After passing the enormous Yodobashi Camera building and gazing toward the historic Kanda Myojin Shrine, you can sense the solemn atmosphere of this guardian shrine of Edo with its 1,300 years of history.
As the route heads toward Tokyo Station, the scenery changes dramatically. The red-brick Marunouchi station building, originally constructed in 1914 and restored in 2012, is an Important Cultural Property that carries over a century of history. Looking up at the stately Tatsuno-style Free Classic architecture from the kart’s low vantage point gives you a sense of scale that pedestrians simply can’t experience.
Continuing toward Ginza, you’ll encounter the Wako clock tower standing at the Ginza 4-chome intersection, the magnificent exterior of the Kabukiza Theatre, and the distinguished elegance of this entertainment district dating back to the Meiji era. From the neon glow of Akihabara to the red brick of Tokyo Station to the established shops of Ginza — this route packs Tokyo’s history into just 2.5 kilometers, making it an efficient choice for first-time visitors who want to hit all the classic Tokyo highlights in one go.
Tokyo Bay Area — Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower in One Trip
The Tour K-M course from the Tokyo Bay shop is a long course of about 1.5 to 2 hours that lets you soak in the open-air vibes of the bay area. Departing from Shin-Kiba, it takes you across Rainbow Bridge and past Tokyo Tower and Odaiba.
The showstopper of this course is Rainbow Bridge, stretching 798 meters across Tokyo Bay. The sensation of crossing this suspension bridge with the ocean breeze hitting you from every direction is something you simply cannot experience from inside a car. From the bridge, you get a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay with the 333-meter red-and-white Tokyo Tower rising in the distance. Book an evening time slot, and you’ll be treated to the illuminated bridge and the glittering waterfront skyline right before your eyes.
In the Odaiba area, futuristic landmarks appear one after another — from the spherical observation deck of the Fuji TV headquarters to DiverCity Tokyo Plaza. Cruising along the open seaside roads of the bay area delivers a refreshing experience that’s entirely different from the urban courses through Shibuya or Akihabara.
If you love photography, don’t miss the chance to snap a kart shot with Tokyo Tower in the background. The composition looking up at the tower from near Shiba Park is sure to make a great photo for social media. During the tour, the guide takes photos for you at red lights, so you can stay focused on driving while still capturing the memories.
Why People Choose Street Kart
There’s a reason so many first-time Tokyo visitors choose Street Kart — it’s far more than just a way to get around.
First, guides trained specifically for international drivers accompany every tour. Staff handle everything from leading the route to safety management and photo support. Tours are available in English and Japanese, and with over 150,000 tours under their belt, the expertise ensures an enjoyable experience even for complete beginners.
The numbers speak to their reliability. Total customers served: over 1.34 million (as of November 2023). Average customer rating: 4.9 out of 5.0 stars. Number of reviews: over 20,000. In Tokyo alone, they operate 6 locations (Shinagawa, Akihabara No. 1 & No. 2, Tokyo Bay, Shibuya, and Shibuya Annex) with a fleet of over 250 street karts.
Costume rentals are another popular draw. There’s something wonderfully surreal about cruising through Tokyo’s streets dressed up in your favorite outfit — an experience ordinary sightseeing just can’t match.
Operating hours are 10:00 to 22:00, year-round with no holidays. If you want to enjoy the night views, the 17:00–19:00 evening slots are recommended. Courses range from quick one-hour plans to two-hour long courses, making it easy to fit into any itinerary.
Take Tokyo Home as an Experience
The red brick of Tokyo Station, the waves of people at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the panoramic view of Tokyo Bay from Rainbow Bridge. These are all classic sightseeing spots, but the memory of experiencing them from just a few dozen centimeters above the ground will bring back the feeling of the wind and the sounds of the city every time you look at your photos.
Booking two weeks in advance is recommended. Weekends fill up fast, so aiming for a weekday afternoon gives you the best chance of availability. Check availability and make reservations at the official site kart.st. A valid driver’s license is required to join a tour, so be sure to check the license requirements beforehand for a smooth experience on the day.
From a trip where you walk through Tokyo to one where you race through it. This city still has perspectives you haven’t discovered yet.
